Crank case flusher



Oct. 10, 1961 w. F. WOSlCKl CRANK CASE FLUSHER Filed Jan. 19. 1959 2 4 48 5 2 55 6 8 O A 5 M svzi 4% 1H 0 6 7 2. l M 6 m \a F INVENTOR. WALTER F WOSICKI kmm mm Q; 6- ML 7 ATTORNEYS lid The present invention relates to mechanism for cleaning and flushing casings, as for example, for cleaning and flushing crank cases for engines, such as internal combustion engines.

In carrying out the present invention, I provide a device which is connectible with a source of cleaning fluid, such as kerosene, for supplying the casing with the fluid. Also I provide for supplying air under pressure to the body of cleaning fluid, whereby the cleaning fluid is dispersed throughout the casing and about the parts within and connected with the casing.

The device includes a tube, for delivering cleaning fluid to the casing, having a valve seat. An air tube extends htrough the cleaner supply tube, which air tube, if desirable, can be projected into the casing. A Valve is disposed within the cleaner supply tube, which valve can be shifted to and from the aforementioned valve seat. When such valve structure, i.e. the valve and valve seat, is open, cleaning fluid can be delivered from the source of supply to the casing through the cleaner supply tube, and, when the valve is shifted to a closed position on the seat, the cleaning fluid is entrapped in the casing. When so entrapped, the air tube is pushed into the casing and air is then forced through the cleaning fluid to disperse the same for cleaning purposes.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in longitudinal cross section showing the air nozzle in retracted position; and

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation showing the air nozzle in extended position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the device 20 comprises a tubular valve body which includes a coupling 22 having a tubular section 24. The coupling 22 is T-shaped with a stem 26 connected by a coupling 27 to a valve housing 28. This valve housing in turn is connected by a drain pipe 29 to a source of waste (not shown). A shutoff valve 30 having a passage 31 is disposed within the valve housing 28 and can be used for turning on and off the passage from the coupling 22 to the drain pipe 29, FIG. 1 illustrating the position assumed by valve 30 when the passage is open between coupling 22 and drain pipe 29. The housing 28 is also provided at the top with a passage 33 which is connected through a coupling 34 to a tube 35, which in turn is connected to a source of kerosene (not shown). By turning the valve 30 counterclockwise ninety degrees from the position illustrated in FIG. 1, as indicated by an arrow 32, the passage 31 is closed to the drain, and passages 33 and 31 are connected through the housing 28 with the coupling 24.

The main coupling 22 is connected by a coupling 38 through couplings 40 and 42 with a casing, the bottom of which is shown at 44. This casing 44 may be the crank case of an internal combustion engine.

Coupling 38, which forms a part of the valve body, is disposed at the top of the main coupling 22. Coupling 46, forming part of the valve body, is connected to the bottom of the main coupling 22. This coupling 46 is tubular and interiorly cylindrical in shape, and the lower end thereof is threaded as at 48. A cylindrical tube 50 extends through the coupling 46 and into the tubular section 24 of the main coupling 22.. This tube '50 carries a nut 52 which is internally threaded to be received by the threads 48 of the coupling 46. The upper end of the tube 50 carries a cylindrically shaped resilient or flexible valve 54 forming a valve seat at the top thereof which is arranged to engage a seat 56 formed on the lower end of coupling 38. A second valve seat 58 is formed on the lower end of the valve 54 and is arranged to engage a seat 60 formed by the upper end of coupling 46. Valve 54 may be formed of neoprene or other synthetic rubber.

An air tube 64 extends through the tube 50, the tubular section 24 of coupling 22 and through couplings 38, 40 and 42. This tube 64 is of smaller diameter than the bores in the couplings 38, 40 and 42 for the free passage of cleaning fluid. The reduced portion is shown at 66. This tube 64 is provided with an air valve 67 which is controlled by a hand-operated lever 68. The upper end of the tube section 66 is provided with a plurality of orifices 70 in the side wall thereof and one or more orifices 72 at the upper end thereof.

In operation the device 20 is connected to the casing 44 by threading the same into the usual opening in the casing 44. At this time the air tube will be in the position shown in FIG. 2. Also at this time the upper seat of valve 54 will be on the seat 56. After the device is suitably coupled through the coupling 42 with the crank case 44, the tube 50 is moved downwardly carrying with it the valve 54, and is moved downwardly sufliciently so that the valve seat 58 seats upon its seat 60-. When the upper seat of valve 54 is removed from the seat 56 the oil from the crank case can escape about the passage 74 between the two sections 66 and the couplings 42, 40 and 38 and through the pipe 29 by way of couplings 22, 27 and housing 28.

After all of the oil is drained from the crank case, the valve 36 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 32 to shut off communication between the housing 22, coupling 27 and pipe 29 and simultaneously connect the same with the source of kerosene. In this position valve 36 permits kerosene to flow by gravity or through pressure into the crank case 44. When sufficient kerosene is delivered to the crank case, the valve 36 is closed and the tube 50 1s pushed upwardly manually so that the valve 54 rests against the seat 56. A tight fit can be assured by elevating the tube 50 through the nut 52 and threads 48. When the seat of valve 54 is on the seat 56 the kerosene is trapped within the casing. The air valve 66 is then actuated through the operating handle 68 whereby air is admitted into the kerosene through the orifices 70 and 72, there being suflicient pressure released to cause the kerosene to be scattered and dispersed throughout the crank case and about the associated pants such as the bearings and cylinder walls. It is preferable to extend the nozzle end of the air tube section 66, that is, the upper end, into the crank case, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 2. It is also preferable to supply the crank case with suflicient kerosene to cover the upper end of the upper nozzle end of the tube section 66 as shown by the dotted line 76.

If the valve 36 had not been previously shut off, it is now shut off to prevent the return of sludge to the supply of kerosene, in which position the sludge and kerosene can be drained through the pipe 29. If desirable the air may be permitted .to continue to flow into the crank case as the sludge and kerosene are being drained therefrom. After all of the kerosene and sludge has been drained from the crank case, the air tube is slidably retracted to the position shown in FIG. 1 and then the device is removed from the crank case through the coupling 42.

It has been found that the cleaning of the crank case and the parts housed'therein has been materially enhanced by the forcing of kerosene under pressure to the parts and to the crank case walls and floor, and by cleaning the crank case and the parts, the life of the parts such as bearings, pistons and cylinder walls, has been materially lengthened.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A device for supplying cleaning fluid and air under pressure to a crank case or the like comprising in combination, means forming a coupling adapted to be attached to a case; a tubular valve body connected with the coupling and having an inlet for cleaning fluid, and forming a valve seat intermediate the coupling and inlet, and having an opening at the end thereof opposite said coupling, and a second valve seat at said opposite end and confronting the first valve seat; a tube extending through the opening; valves within the valve body and carried by the tube, one of said valves cooperating to close upon the first mentioned seat when the tube is moved inwardly, and the other of said valves cooperating to close upon the second mentioned seat when the tube is moved outwardly; and an air tube extending through said tube and into the valve body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the outer end of the air tube extends outwardly of the valve body.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the air tube is slidable with respect to the tube and that the outer end thereof is adapted to be extended outwardly of the valve body.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the inlet for cleaning fiuid functions as an outlet for oil passing from the case.

5. A cleaning fluid and air supplying device for a crank case or the like, comprising in combination, a valve body; a coupling connected with the body for attaching the body to the case, said body having an opening connectible with a source of cleaning fluid, said body and coupling having a passage connecting the opening with the case through said coupling, said body forming a valve seat about said passage, said body having a second opening forming a tubular guide aligned with the valve seat; a tube slidable in said guide and having a valve seat coop crating with the first mentioned valve seat for opening and closing the passage; and an air tube slidably disposed in the first mentioned tube and extendible through and beyond said passage and into the case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,438,834 Keil Dec. '12, 1922 1,748,004 Urquhart Feb. 18, 1930 1,954,222 Olson Apr. 10, 1934 2,245,195 Hopkins June 10, 1941 2,320,048 Parson May 25, 1943 2,639,908 Graham May 26, 1953 2,919,704 Butler Jan. 5, 1960 

